Now that Verizon's (NYSE: VZ) 45,000 union workers have returned to work after a two week strike over healthcare and pension benefits, the service provider issued an apology to its customers.

Verizon published an apology to customers on its website.

On its website, Verizon apologized for any inconvenience to its customer base.

"Now with the strike behind us, we're determined and committed to providing our customers with the fastest, highest-quality broadband, video and voice network services in the country," Verizon said in a prepared statement. "We thank you for your patience and understanding during these past few weeks. We look forward to serving you in the future."

It appears that the unions' strike helped to convince Verizon to come back to the negotiation table.

Len Welcome, executive vice president for the Albany, N.Y.-based CWA Local 1118, said in a Post Star article that he is hopeful the unions and Verizon can reach an agreement over a new contract.

"Until late last week, they (Verizon) never wanted to discuss anything serious," he said. "Obviously the strike was effective. It's the only reason we went back to work."

The service provider's two main unions--the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Communications Workers of America (CWA)--are still in the process of hammering out a new deal. Union workers will continue to work under the existing contract that expired on Aug. 6.

While Verizon and union representatives said they are trying to carve out a mutually agreeable compromise, negotiations over health care benefits, pensions and work rules will likely be tense.

For more:- see the Verizon apology (PDF)- The Post Star also has this article